Local Agencies Receive Grants From the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Friday, September 1st, 2023 -- 8:10 AM

On International Overdose Awareness Day, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) expanded its commitment to ending drug overdoses and related harms.

Grants have been awarded to 15 county, municipal, nonprofit, and tribal nation agencies to make life-saving resources more available in communities with a high need through vending machines in public places stocked with free fentanyl test strips and NARCAN®, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

All Wisconsin county and municipal government agencies, nonprofits, and tribal nations were invited to apply for a portion of the nearly $1 million in funding designated for this program.

Some of the grant recipients are: Monroe County Health Department to buy, place, and stock an indoor vending machine in Sparta and an outdoor vending machine in Tomah; and the Taylor County Health Department to buy, place, and stock two indoor vending machines in Medford.

The funded agencies have until the end of September to implement their work plan. The grants are funded by a portion of Wisconsin’s share of the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.

This program complements previously announced grants supported by $2 million of Wisconsin’s 2022 share of National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement funds to 26 agencies for the purchase, installation, and stocking of indoor and outdoor vending machines containing fentanyl test strips and NARCAN®.

Some of the agencies include: Eau Claire City-County Health Department, Wausau Police Department, and Wood County Health Department.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.